by Julia Griffin

I.M. Fannie Dressler

“Healing soup recipes, Part 2: Definitely not your grandma’s chicken soup!”
—NPR

Not, not my grandma’s. She has gone
(A loss we never can recoup),
But still the legend lingers on
Of her incomparable soup.

How did she do it? We don’t know.
A chicken; onion; water; salt;
Alas! We never watched her, so
All this is guesswork. No one’s fault.

Mere memories must now suffice
Of broth to make King David sing,
And matzo balls of Paradise.
Whatever you are offering

Is not my grandma’s soup, it’s true:
I’m glad you made the most of it,
But honestly, I’m asking you—
Why ever would you boast of it?